Nagoya castle in bloom, a photo from Aichi, Chubu

Photographer's Note

This was shot across from the moat of Nagoya castle, usually you can see 10 to 20 professionals standing there with their 1 to 2 foot lenses and mommoth tripods, but not today, only me and a few others with their small cameras.

Something about Nagoya castle

The area surrounding the castle is one of the oldest settled areas in what is modern-day Nagoya. Built in 1612, the old castle town borders correspond to modern day Naka ward. For this reason, the area has traditionally been the center of government for the city and for Aichi Prefecture in general. Here you will find a range of government institutions and a number of historically and architecturally significant buildings.

In 1610 Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of Nagoya-jo to solidify the Tokugawa authority in Owari (Nagoya and vicinity). The castle was completed in 1612 and Tokugawa's ninth son Yoshinao entered the castle in 1616 from which he governed over Owari.

Nagoya-jo is famous for the 2 golden shachihoko that adorn the top of its donjon. That is why it is also known as "Kinshachi-jo." Kin means "gold" and shachi refers to the killer whale type mythical creatures that sit atop the donjon and other castle structures.

I hope you like

I havent cropped it at all, I thought this would look nice

ChrisJ, jhm, nwoehnl, singuanti, Galmeida heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

jhm (211736) 2006-04-08 12:30

Hi dan,
The blossoms are every year a excellent subject to photography, happy you was alone without the masses photographers, The sharpness on the blossoms become a little bit disrupt through the middle with temple, but I enjoy your picture, very pleasant for looking, thanks a lot.
Best regards,
John.

Stepan (27210) 2006-04-08 12:49

A typical view about Japan for me. I've never been there, but I imagine this is a classical atmosphere. I thank you for sharing that.
Good framing even if I wish you have had a stronger depth.
Stéphane

nwoehnl (122) 2006-04-08 21:39

Nice take, Dan, good choice of DOF to focus on the cherry flowers and to have the top of the castle make a slightly more blurred appearance in the background. Ideal angle to have the building engulfed by the diagonals of the branches. I went back to the park and castle the morning after our shooting day; still have to review and edit the results though. Best wishes; I'm moving on to Osaka this afternoon.

singuanti (15250) 2006-04-08 22:10

Hi Dan. A most beautifully framed shot. I like the strong focus in the foreground, where it counts, but I find myself wishing for a tad more focus in the background. I'm not sure why as I do still really like it. tfs Dan.

ChrisJ (171794) 2006-04-09 4:07

Hi Dan

Wonderful use of a shallow dof, with marvellous fg sharpness. Good color lighting & pov. Excellent use of the fg branches to frame the distant castle. Good work!

weswang (18247) 2006-04-10 0:51

Hi Dan, A nicely composed picture to well capture the cherry blossom with the castle in the background to show where you were. Good details and nice sharpness.

Angshu (56760) 2006-04-10 1:45

This is great Dan...the shallow DOF to highlight the cherry blossoms & blur the castle in the background. I like the general lack of colours except on the green roof of the castle, which makes the picture more beautiful IMO
Regards
Angshu

Galmeida (12559) 2006-04-10 5:27

Hi Daniel,

Now you are going fast posting like Spring time ;-))) Okay this is a splendid capture with a splendid perspective from the foreground whithe blossoms so well focused in vantage point of the frame and at distance the Nagoya Castle seeing with blur glasses the approach view taken by you. Excelent detailed overviw with a excelent enquadrement and with fine colors, light handling and sharpness.

Very good moment capture with a well seen view and composed picture.

Have a great week and Congratulations.
Fernando

Janice (4403) 2006-06-30 4:42

I saw Norbert's photos and wanted to see yours too. This is great Dan, the blossoms are so pretty against the BG. Very well composed with the gap between the 2 branches too. TFS
Janice